Instant impact: Most of 49ers’ recent 1st-rounders have excelled early

Excited to see the 49ers’ high-end draft picks put them over the top in 2014?

Here’s some cold water, courtesy of ESPN’s Bill Polian.

On a national conference call today, the legendary former NFL personnel executive said, rather emphatically, first- and second-round picks rarely become difference-makers as rookies.

“The first and second rounder, you would like them to come in and contribute,” Polian said. “And let me underline the word contribute, please. They will not make an impact. They will not. Rookies cannot make an impact. By the very definition of the fact that they are rookies. They have to learn how to play professional football … We assume these guys are going to come in and make the difference between winning and losing. And they rarely, rarely do.”

The 49ers have a first-round pick and two second-round selections. Should we assume those picks are destined to, at best, achieve mere contributor status this season? With proper respect to Mr. Polian: of course not.

There are obviously plenty of exceptions to Polian’s they-will-not-make-an-impact statement. In fact, just examine the 49ers’ first- and second-round picks since 2010: Four of the five first-rounders made a significant impact in their first season:

2013First round: S Eric Reid (No. 18)Difference-maker: started 16 games; ranked third on team in tackles (77), second in INTs (4); went to Pro Bowl as alternateSecond round: DE Tank Carradine (No. 40)Non-factor: did not play because of a knee injurySecond round: TE Vance McDonald (No. 55)Contributor: had 8 catches for 119 yards in 15 games; played 494 snaps